100 Mile Ride

[Lakerider]

I got into biking a year ago and I love it! I recently rode 101 miles in one day. I ride on my own, not with a group. Just me, usually by the lake. I started my ride at 6:30 a.m. and finished at 6:30 p.m. My actual riding time was 10 hours and 4 minutes. I'm looking forward to doing it again before long. Next time I'll have to go for 102 miles! I'd love to hear your story of riding 100 or more miles in a day.

[TrekTheKaty]

Good job! I can't imagine doing that without the company of a large group of riders and free snacks!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats!! I agree- you are super studly!!! I've never done 100 all on my own. Did you make your own rest stops along the way? Really, I can't imagine sitting on my bike for 10 hours. You go!!!!

My favorite century to date was an organized ride I did on my birthday 2 years ago. It was the first year for the event, and attendance was pretty low. I got to about mile 60 and thought about cutting it short and heading back, but I got to a rest stop and the youth group was soooo excited to see a woman. They said I was the first woman they'd seen that day (this rest stop was only on the 100 mile route). I had to finish then- how could I not finish the 100 when I was the first woman to do it on the inaugural run of the event?
As with every century I've done- it was long. When I got to mile 102 I was getting cranky and was really ready to be done- thankfully the finish line was only .25 mile away. Everyone was gone and the free lunch was packed up so I got a happy meal on the way home.

Riding that far on a bike is a true badge of honor.
Congrats again!

[Reesha]

I took the same amount of time on my first century!

Man, it was agony all the way, even with the support. Also, I made some poor choices the night before I actually wrote a blog about it afterward.

http://larissasfishbowl.blogspot.com...first-110.html

Hahahaha upon reading the entry again I made several novice mistakes! Oh man!!! I only had an energy packet for breakfast? What is WRONG with me!? No wonder I bonked about 60-70 miles in.

[Lakerider]

I was riding next to the lake the whole time and I would return to my van for rest breaks and snacks. When I stopped for lunch I sat under a shade tree next to the lake and 3 ducks joined me! That was fun.

[Tri Girl]

I was riding next to the lake the whole time and I would return to my van for rest breaks and snacks. When I stopped for lunch I sat under a shade tree next to the lake and 3 ducks joined me! That was fun.

Sounds like it was a lot of fun- and nice that you had your van for occasional breaks. Cute that the ducks joined you for lunch.
Congrats again!!!

[jobob]

I really enjoy doing long rides by myself! I managed a few solo centuries last year.

The first two, in January and March, were to scout out checkpoints for the RUSA 200K permanent route I was planning.

Here's the writeup on my blog for the one in March - the highlights were an unexpected encounter with aka_kim, and being passed by pro racer Fast Freddie Rodriguez on a climb like I was standing still - no, make that like I was going backwards.

Later in the year I rode my RUSA 200K permanent twice by myself. I was really jazzed the first time I did it, in August, and I had a fairly long write up in my blog complete with pictures. Not one to hide under a bushel I also posted a long writeup on TE. A highlight of this ride, besides completing the darn thing w/in the time allotted, was a close encounter with a Big Fuzzy Tarantula

I rode that same route again by myself in late September. It was two weeks after I had attempted it with Veronica and Melissam on a horribly hot day. ( On that day I got about 70-something miles into it and, passing a BART rapid transit station, decided I had enough, thank you, and left V and Mel for the comfort of an air-conditioned ride back to the start. Hey, I never said I wasn't a wimp. ) But two weeks later it was much cooler out - what a difference!

This year I haven't done anything remotely as epic. Oh, I had my plans but they were pretty well squashed by my crash. But I'll be back on my bike soon, and who knows, perhaps I'll get another solo century or 200K in by years end.

[Lakerider]

Jobob,
I'm so sorry you had a crash! Sounds like you're a great rider and I hope you're back in the saddle soon!

[jobob]

That's so nice of you to say, Lakerider!

And a big congratulations on your first century, isn't that an awesome feeling?

Wishing you many more, - Jo.

[Biciclista]

Lakerider, how many times did you go around the lake?

[Lakerider]

Well, there's a road that goes 1/2 mile back, right next to the lake. So in and back out is a mile. I covered that road 101 times! My husband said that must have been boring, but it wasn't. The water is so beautiful. I love watching the herons, ducks & geese and the fish jumping in the water. Each lap was a little different. People who live nearby are very friendly and always wave.

[Tri Girl]

Well, there's a road that goes 1/2 mile back, right next to the lake. So in and back out is a mile. I covered that road 101 times! My husband said that must have been boring, but it wasn't. The water is so beautiful. I love watching the herons, ducks & geese and the fish jumping in the water. Each lap was a little different. People who live nearby are very friendly and always wave.

WOW! Every time you post more information from your ride, I'm more and more impressed!!!! I can't believe you did a .5 mile out and back 101 times. You are INCREDIBLE!!!!

I love that your mindset is in the right place. You didn't see boredom (I'm afraid I might have after a while), you saw the beauty all around you. You noticed the water, the birds, the fish, and the people. I'd love to see more pictures of the lake area if you have any- it's simply beautiful (as I saw in your other thread).

[jobob]

I'm with TG, that's really cool.

[Kelly728]

Wow, that is impressive. We have a 1.3 mile path around a lake that I'll use for speedwork but I couldn't imagine doing that for any length of time!

[Lakerider]

I've also biked next to the New River in Virginia. Here is a picture from October. The view is breath taking!